Accuracy of reverse shoulder arthroplasty angle according to the size of the baseplate

Glenoid inclination must be assessed precisely during preoperative planning for reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) to position the glenoid baseplate correctly. We hypothesized that a more dynamic measurement method would better match the diversity of glenoid heights in the population and the variety of commercialized glenoid baseplates. Our purpose was to describe a new method to measure the RSA angle accounting for the baseplate size.

Computed tomography scans of 50 shoulders that underwent RSA for primary osteoarthritis or cuff tear arthropathy between June 2019 and February 2020 were included (mean age, 76 years). Three variants of the RSA angle were measured: the RSA angle as originally described by Boileau et al, the relative RSA 25 angle (which simulates the implantation of a 25-mm baseplate), and the relative RSA 29 angle (which simulates the implantation of a 29-mm baseplate). Measurements in the 2-dimensional true reformatted scapular plane were made by 3 independent operators.

The mean R-S distance (ie, distance between point R [intersection of supraspinatus fossa line with glenoid surface] and point S [inferior border of glenoid]) was 24.2 ± 4.0 mm. The mean RSA angle was 20.3° ± 8.4°, whereas the mean relative RSA 25 angle was 19.3° ± 7.8° and the mean relative RSA 29 angle was 15.6° ± 7.6°. The mean difference between the RSA angle and the relative RSA 25 angle was 1.0° ± 4.1° (P = .16). The mean difference between the RSA angle and the relative RSA 29 angle was 4.7° ± 3.8° (P < .0001). In half of the shoulders in our series, the difference between the RSA angle and the RSA 29 angle exceeded 5°.

The RSA angle is a reproducible measure of the inclination of the inferior part of the glenoid that is reliable in most cases for glenoid baseplates of 24-25 mm in height. However, surgeons should be aware that the RSA angle may overestimate the superior orientation of the inferior glenoid for baseplates of different sizes or for small- or large-stature patients. In these cases, the relative RSA angle adapted to the size of the baseplate more accurately evaluates the inclination of the inferior glenoid.